Public Works crews have been busy the past several weeks, sprucing up the Mercado and the Downtown area in preparation for Crusin’ Grand and the thousands of visitors it will draw to Escondido every Friday for the next 27 weeks. Crews have been trimming trees, fixing lights, weeding, and planting annuals at the end caps of the medians. In addition, John Paul the Great Catholic University ) has generously volunteered to plant annual color in the tree wells on Maple Street south of Grand Avenue. They will prep the planters, maintain and water them. They will start with petunias to match the plantings in the medians.

The position of part-time “Day Porter” for the downtown area has been filled. Korrina Villalobos, a part-time city employee who has been working with the Graffiti Team since September, has been assigned to this position and will begin this week. As a Day Porter her role is to keep Grand Avenue, from Quince to Valley Boulevard, as well as the Maple Street Plaza, looking attractive, clean and in good repair in order to ensure that it is a place that visitors want to frequent. The Day Porter position is intended to supplement, but not replace, the maintenance efforts of Downtown merchants who will continue to be responsible for sweeping in front of their own businesses, etc.

The Cornerstone Church has cancelled its plans to hold an Easter Egg Hunt at Grape Day Park on April 19.

CPRS AWARD

Escondido Recreation received an Achievement Award for the “Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead” Program through the California Parks and Recreation Society on Wednesday, March 26th. The Achievement Award is given out each year for an outstanding program or partnership within the parks and recreation profession and recognizes significant program impact on the community. The “Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead” program is a collaboration between The City of Escondido, the Escondido Union School District and Dr. Sandra Buczynski from the University of San Diego. The program focuses on furthering science, technology, engineering, art and math education for elementary school age students in Escondido and has served more than 700 students in its inaugural year.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UPDATES

Planning:

Staff accompanied Supervisor Dave Roberts, his staff and representatives from the Friends of Daley Ranch, for a field trip to Daley Ranch and Stanley Peak on 3/26/14. The Friends have applied to the County for grant funding to help pay for the buses that are used to bring middle school students up to Daley Ranch for field trips.

Major Projects Update:

Oak Creek (NUW) – The applicant has submitted a draft EIR Notice of Preparation for review; this is the first step in preparing the draft EIR.

Amanda Lane (NUW) – The application remains incomplete, awaiting the applicant’s revised submittals in response to LAFCO and staff review. The applicant is evaluating offsite improvements for the storm drain design, sewer alignment and alignment of Gamble Lane due to the topographical conditions.

Zak/NCA Development –The project is scheduled for Planning Commission hearing on 4/22/14.

Centerpointe – The EIR contract is ready for signature, pending the applicant’s payment of the contract amount.

North Broadway Deficiency Area Projects – The applicant’s submittal of traffic studies for the various projects is behind schedule, effectively delaying the completion of the environmental documents.

Building Division:

The Building Division issued 58 permits, including 22 photovoltaic permits, for a total valuation of $883,821. The permits issued were primarily minor permit types (i.e. water heaters, re-roofs, additions, plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits). The Building counter averaged 27 daily visitors. Inspections averaged 24 per day.

Permits were issued for the natural gas fueling station at 1035 W. Washington Ave. Plans are in for review for the underground utilities at the future Black Angus restaurant at the Westfield Mall, 296 Via Rancho Parkway. The exterior and interior renovations at Westfield are substantially complete.

2013 - 2014 Pavement Repair and Rehabilitation Program:The paving contractor is continuing to raise manholes and water valve cans to grade throughout the project.

Grape Street Public Improvement Project:No activity to report.

Private Development

1146 East Valley Parkway- McDonald’s Restaurant:The new water main syphon has passed all water quality tests and the syphon will be installed Tuesday April 8th. The new construction schedule for the off-site improvements require the closure of the #2 west bound lane of Valley Parkway on Thursday April 3 to allow for the installation of the water main syphon and completion of the new travel lane along Valley Parkway. All lanes are scheduled to be reopened by Friday April 18th.

Tract 888-Cambell Court:The water line has been tied into the water operation pipeline.

RedFlex Camera Removal:The owner has issued a purchase order for the removal of the camera systems, but no construction schedule has been provided.

7-11 Improvement at Washington Avenue:The electrical underground package has been installed crossing Ash Street. The project will be working at night for construction of the 2 new driveway approaches along Ash Street.

SDG&E Gas Main Integrity Testing:The contractor has completed drilling of the observation holes from Auto Parkway to Metcalf Street. The work is being done between 7:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M. to minimize the impact on the surrounding business community.

SDG&E Gas Main Testing: Midway Drive at Grand Avenue.Staffs meet with SDG&E representatives to evaluate the safest operation methods along this heavily traveled roadway. The work requires digging an 8’ X 16’ excavation in the intersection with two additional exploratory holes north and south of the main intersection. Due to the high concentration of home units and the proximity to schools in the area the work will be performed between 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The work will be started in the six weeks.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Police:

Chief Carter met with clergy members from throughout the city.

We have hired a new Police Property & Evidence Technician. Background investigation is being finalized and we look forward to having her start in the next week or two.

Last Friday PD hosted approximately 35 officers from law enforcement agencies in North County. The group is known as the North County Law Enforcement Alliance and will be conducting operations in the various cities within north San Diego County. 12 arrests were made in Escondido, and the large law enforcement presence went a long way in quieting down criminal activity for the weekend.

EPD participated in the “Peace begins with Me” event at Grape Day park.

Officer Tom Venable received his 9th MADD award last week for DUI arrests.